Delicious Living Blogs

GoodGuide iPhone app scans bar codes for health and environmental ratings

Jessica Rubino — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:30:13 +0000

When people obstruct your path at the grocery store because they’re on their iPhones you may get, well, impatient. But consider cutting them a lot more slack now that they may be on this new app that scans bar codes to give the lowdown on everything from yogurt to shampoo (if you don’t have an iPhone, it offers a texting option). The application comes from the makers of the web site GoodGuide, which gives health and environmental info on 50,000 products and companies. Things the application considers: health performance (cancer risks, reproductive hazards, skin and eye irritation), environmental performance (emissions, natural resource impacts), and social performance (diversity, compensation, working conditions). Sorry fellow shoppers, if I’m in your way.

Your skin is hungry. But what is it craving?

Jessica Rubino — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:03:55 +0000

When your skin acts up, revising your product routine is a little bit like going grocery shopping when you’re famished. You know it’s not good for you, but you still want to try everything. You may even ignore your allergies and specific needs. Once your ravenous appetite subsides, you suddenly feel worse … What happened to that shopping list? What are the staples for each skin type, anyway? We should know this by now, yet sometimes you need it spelled out: What your skin really needs. In honor of November, National Healthy Skin Month, the American Academy of Dermatology has done just that, providing the simple top tips for every skin type. And what I want to know is what are you feeding your skin?

Sensitive skin: If your skin appetite is acting up again, you’ll be tempted to go for ingredients with sensory appeal, like rich aromas, but if you have sensitive skin, it’s important to avoid most products with strong fragrances (everyone should avoid irritating synthetic ones), soap, or alcohol. Instead, opt for calming ingredients like green tea polyphenols, chamomile, and aloe. And look at labels; as a general rule (just like with food) the fewer ingredients, the better–especially for those of you with sensitive skin. (more…)

How to make a gluten-free pie crust

Elisa Bosley — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:46 +0000

Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without pie … but if you’re not eating gluten, a typical pie crust presents a challenge. Fortunately, we’ve got a terrific gluten-free pie crust recipe as part of this Almond Apple Pie recipe, courtesy of natural foods chef Alison Anton. (She provided all the special gluten-free dessert recipes in our Oct08 issue.) The key is to have and keep ALL ingredients cold (put the flours in the fridge before making it, for example); chill the finished dough before rolling (wrap it in plastic first); and to treat the dough gently when rolling on waxed paper. Don’t worry if it tears a bit when rolling; just patch as you go, as you would with any crust. Elana of Elana’s Pantry also provides this gluten-free, almond-flour-based pie crust; I haven’t tried it yet, but since I just ordered a big bag of almond flour last week, it’s next on my list.

Top 6 healthy Thanksgiving side dishes

Elisa Bosley — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:19:40 +0000

I love planning out Thanksgiving side dishes almost as much as eating them. The Delicious Living healthy recipe archives are full of great side dish options — and I can vouch for every one of them, having made them more than once. Here are a few of my favorites; all of them can be made gluten free, so my gluten-free son can indulge along with the rest of us. I’ll post more favorite Thanksgiving recipes in the days ahead. And I’d love to hear about yours!

1. Apple, Date, and Almond Stuffing. Hands down, my favorite stuffing ever … and it’s gluten free! It’s made with sauteed apples, zipped up with citrus zest, and given crunch with chopped almonds. This gets raves every single time I serve it. (I also make it often with roast chicken.) Gluten-free kids will love it, as will your adult guests.

2. Brussels Sprouts in Sage Butter. I love these sweet-savory brussels sprouts with pecans. Even if think you don’t like brussels sprouts, try these; browning them gives them a wonderful flavor. To make the dish even lighter, use half olive oil and half butter.

3. Sweet Potato Bake with Maple-Cinnamon Pecans. I developed this recipe a long while back for something sweet yet not drowned with marshmallows. (Not that I have anything in particular against marshmallows … just not on sweet potatoes.) It’s super easy and kids love it.

4. Quinoa Corn Muffins. Another great gluten-free Thanksgiving side dish. Pair it with this dairy-free Pumpkin Seed Spread.

5. Roasted Green Beans with Lemon and Dill. A really nice change from steamed or casserole green beans; and I love the currants, though it’s good even if you leave them out.

6. Mache Salad with Candied Pecans, Pears, and Gorgonzola. One of my go-to special salads. I leave out the gorgonzola for my gluten-free son because sometimes gorgonzola can have gluten in it (plus he doesn’t like gorgonzola). Mache is a delicious, slightly nutty, tender green; you’ll find it in clamshell packaging in the salad section of natural markets. But you may also substitute any tender greens, such as butter lettuce or even green leaf lettuce, or a mix.

Sustainable fashion

Lauren McNitt — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:05:36 +0000

I want to be environmentally responsible in my daily life, but still wear stylish clothing. Luckily, sustainable fashion made from organic and recycled materials is increasing in popularity. Here are some great websites featuring stylish, eco-friendly clothing and more for green fashionistas and their families.

Nau sells active wear and urban outdoor clothing for women and men.

Green with Glamour carries clothing for women, men, and kids. The site also sells jewelry and neat stuff for your home.

The Green Loop offers sustainable fashion for women, men, and kids.

Earthgirls boutique caters to fashion-forward, eco-conscious women.

EcoSkin designs sophisticated women’s clothing, but at a fairly decent price. Right now they have a holiday collection with clothing perfect for taking the kids to the Nutcracker or going to the company Christmas party.

Fashion and Earth sells women’s clothing made from bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, and soy.

Why exercise beats stress

Radha Marcum — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:56:12 +0000

I know that exercise—especially hard exercise, like running or mountain biking—helps me cope with all of the little spilled-milk moments (literally, figuratively) and even with more stressful everyday situations, such as work projects taking unexpected and disappointing turns. It’s as if exercise creates a buffer zone. Now scientists have some evidence that exercise really does buffer us at the neurological level, changing and enabling cells to function better under stress. (more…)

Fair-trade gift catalog, with coupons

Elisa Bosley — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:22:04 +0000

Looking for fair-trade gifts to give this holiday season? Check out this beautiful Fair Trade Gift Guide, produced by Lotus Foods and Fair Trade the White House, a grassroots coalition that’s petitioning First Lady Michelle Obama to declare the White House a “fair-trade home.” (You can sign the petition here.) With gift ideas as lovely as South African-made messenger bags, gorgeous scarves and hats, adorable toys and puzzles, and chocolates galore — from such fair-trade organizations as World of Good, Ten Thousand Villages, Equal Exchange, and more — you’re sure to find something that does the recipient AND the world some good. And lots of the catalog items have coupon codes for free shipping, discounts, and the like. Let the holiday goodwill begin!

Free flatbread today at Jamba Juice!

Elisa Bosley — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:33:23 +0000

If you hurry into your neighborhood Jamba Juice today from 2:00 to 5:00pm, you might be among the first 150 customers to get a free California flatbread; yes, free! Flavors include Tomo Artichoko, Smokehouse Chicken, MedterranYum, and Four Cheesey. Though I’m sure these aren’t gluten-free, I’m already a fan of Jamba Juice because of their gluten-free smoothies, which my gluten-free son boosts with protein and uses as a meal on occasion when he’s not able to get to his dorm for food. Jamba also offers fresh-squeezed juices, steel-cut oatmeal, and other yummy, healthy, fast options. (more…)

White House chef champions healthy food

Elisa Bosley — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:15:30 +0000

I loved this article in the New York Times, “A White House Chef Who Wears Two Hats,” about the new, 29-year-old White House chef, Sam Kass. He sounds like someone who gets it; “when he’s not grilling fish for the first family or tending tomatillos in the White House garden, he is pondering the details of child nutrition legislation, funding streams for the school lunch program and the best tactics to fight childhood obesity.” Interesting read, including the snarky bits from big-ag interests and naysayers who think organic and locally grown isn’t realistic (for more on that, read “In Defense of Organics” from DL’s Sept issue). I appreciate Kass’s opinion on the challenges to feed healthy food to kids: “It’s got to taste good, you know?” he said. “They’re not going to eat it, no matter how healthy it is, if it doesn’t taste good.”

Fatigued? Cold-weather tips to feel better

Radha Marcum — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:54:48 +0000

Most mornings lately, I’ve been tired. Not just sleepy—bone-weary tired. There are a million things I could blame, from a hectic family/work schedule to chronically interrupted sleep (2- and 5-year-olds do not sleep very soundly). In the haze, it’s hard to know what it is I really need. More vitamins? Better exercise? It occurred to me this morning, as I turned up the hot water in the shower for an extra “blast,” that I am simply out of step with the season. Despite the fact that we don’t burrow in mud- and leaf-lined caves and sleep all winter, humans are meant to slow down and rest more in the colder/darker months. And lately I have been expecting myself to do everything as if it were still mid summer with bountiful sunlight and tons of social energy. So when Michael Finkelstein, M.D., got in touch to offer these simple tips for staving off the winter blues, I took note. (more…)